2/12/2018 6:03 AM PST

Johnny Manziel says he's been battling bipolar disorder and depression for years -- and had used alcohol as a way to "self-medicate" ... but claims he's sought professional help to work through it.

"I am taking medication for bipolar, and I am working to try to make sure I don’t fall back into any type of depression," Johnny told "Good Morning America" ... "because I know where that leads me and I know how slippery a slope that is for me."

Manziel says he was diagnosed as bipolar about a year ago -- around the same time he decided to start changing his life and begin his pro football comeback.

"I am watching all the other guys doing what I want to be doing, and I am sitting on a couch being a loser."

"The goal of this comeback is to get back to the NFL, ultimately."

As for his battle with booze -- Manziel explained, "I was self-medicating with alcohol. That’s what I thought would make me happy and get out of that depression."

"When I would wake up the next day after a night like that, going on a trip like that, and you wake up the next day and that is all gone, that liquid courage, or that liquid ... sense of euphoria that is over you, is all gone."

"You are left staring at the ceiling by yourself, and in that depression and back in that hole, that dark hole of sitting in a room by yourself, super depressed, thinking about all the mistakes you made in your life."

"What did that get me? Where did that get me except out of the NFL? Where did that get me? Disgraced?"

Johnny says the support from his family and his fiancee, Bre Tiesi, have been key to getting his life back together.

2/9/2018 12:50 AM PST

EXCLUSIVE

"Celebrity Big Brother" is out to spill secrets this season, because producers are plying the contestants with truth serum in the form of booze.

Production sources tell TMZ ... the bigwigs have changed the policy of limiting alcohol consumption ... the spigot is wide open and the cast is taking full advantage. Omarosa, James Maslow, Brandi Glanville, Ross Mathews and the other houseguests have partaken every night since January 31 when they entered the house.

The buzz we're hearing ... producers want Omarosa to spill the beans on her tenure in the White House. She's already started, turning on Trump ... saying everyone should be worried about the Prez, saying things in the W.H. are "so bad."

The show used to be stingy in the alcohol department ... it was typical contestants would share 2 bottles of wine and a few 6-packs each night, but producers are worried celebrities play things closer to the vest than the average Joe, so a little alcohol -- or a lot -- always does the trick.

The show has even created a meetin' place for booze-fueled convos -- a new bar.

2/8/2018 7:48 AM PST

Former 3 Doors Down guitarist Matt Roberts ﻿died at the hands of a physician who was negligent and a pharmacy that enabled the doctor ... so claims Matt's estate in a new lawsuit.

The estate named Dr. Richard Snellgrove and Rite Aid as the ones responsible for Matt's death ... this according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ.

The estate claims Snellgrove's the one who prescribed high levels of opioids and benzodiazepines to Matt for years prior to his death. The suit claims Snellgrove has already been indicted in Alabama for Matt's death. The estate also faults Rite Aid for failing to comply with the Controlled Substances Act.

TMZ broke the story ... Matt died of an apparent overdose. He was scheduled to perform at a charity event when he was found dead in his hotel room. Matt's dad believed the possible OD was accidental.

2/7/2018 1:20 PM PST

EXCLUSIVE

Richard Pryor had a lot of sex in the '70s -- and it was with both men and women -- including Marlon Brando ... according to Pryor's widow, Jennifer.

Jennifer confirmed the Richard-Marlon hookup, which Quincy Jones first mentioned in a pretty wild Vultureinterview. As Q put it, Brando would "f*** anything. Anything! He'd f*** a mailbox. James Baldwin. Richard Pryor. Marvin Gaye." The allegation sent the Internet into a frenzy.

Jennifer tells TMZ ... Richard would have no shame about Quincy's comments. She says the comedic legend was always very open about his bisexuality with friends, and documented it extensively in diaries. Jennifer says she'll publish them later this year.

As for Richard hooking up with Brando -- she says, "It was the '70s! Drugs were still good, especially quaaludes. If you did enough cocaine, you'd f*** a radiator and send it flowers in the morning."

Jennifer says she has no doubt Richard would be cracking up if he heard Quincy spilling the tea.

2/7/2018 11:59 AM PST

EXCLUSIVE

10:27 AM PT -- Tom tells TMZ the restraining order is completely baseless and is only an attempt to keep him from retrieving person property he still has at the house. Sizemore claims his landlord is selling his personal belongings. He continues, "I have a lot of projects I am working on and I will not let this false accusation hinder. Tom Sizemore's ex-neighbor says the actor pushed her to use drugs, and has it out for her ... according to new docs.

The neighbor, Lauren Abouyan, requested a restraining order Tuesday in L.A. County Court ... and in the docs she says Sizemore has tried to coax her into using drugs with him. She says although Tom's moved out of the neighborhood ... he still comes around to "harass" her.

Lauren claims he last showed up on Monday, and claims he continually follows her around and tries to be around her.

The judge granted her the restraining order, and Sizemore must now stay 100 yards away from her and cannot contact her.

2/6/2018 1:37 PM PST

DJ Khaled's fiancee's murdered brother wasn't involved in a drug deal gone bad and was simply caught in the wrong place at the wrong time when he was shot ... so says a source close to the family.

Nicole Tuck's brother Jonathan was killed in a Bronx apartment Sunday during what the NYPD called a botched weed deal. However, sources close to the family tell us Jonathan was only at the apartment to watch the Super Bowl.

Our sources say while Jonathan was there, there was an attempted robbery and, in trying to defend himself, Jonathan was shot in the back of the head -- not in the face -- as was first reported.

Jonathan was a devoted father to his 2-year-old daughter Gianna. We're told he was a stay-at-home dad who always put family first ... he was a loyal son and uncle as well. Jonathan and Nicole were very close.

DJ Khaled and Nicole tell us, "Our family appreciates the condolences from loved ones and friends ... we are requesting privacy during this difficult time."

2/6/2018 7:21 AM PST

Cops say Nicole Tuck's younger brother, Jonathan, was shot in the face after he allegedly showed up at a Bronx apartment Sunday to buy weed. We're told the apartment was less than a mile from Tuck's home ... he allegedly got into an argument there and was shot. He was taken to a hospital where he died.

Law enforcement sources tell us a 34-year-old man was taken in for questioning about the incident.

2/5/2018 12:20 AM PST

If you're drinking with Brody Jenner and get a funny taste in your mouth ... check to see if the beer's been mixed with his foot sweat.

Brodes was enjoying The Groove Cruise in Miami when he got a hankering for a good ol' fashioned swig of beer from his shoe ... and wanted DJ Thomas Jack to join him.

DJ TJ declined -- for obvious reasons -- but Jenner wasn't having it and kept pestering him to take a sip. When that didn't work, he talked smack about Jack's profession ... and continued drinking his foot beer.

The Colts released a statement on Jackson's death, saying, in part ... "We were heartbroken to hear the news of Edwin Jackson’s passing. Edwin was loved by all in the Colts organization." A rep for the team added ... "We are shocked and saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of both men during this difficult time."